The War of the Roses was a series of civil wars fought in England during the 15th century. It was a struggle for power between two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the House of Lancaster and the House of York.

The House of Lancaster was represented by a red rose, while the House of York was symbolized by a white rose. Hence, the conflict became known as the War of the Roses. The wars lasted for over thirty years, from 1455 to 1485, and were characterized by numerous battles and political maneuvering.

The House of Lancaster was founded by King Henry IV, who overthrew his cousin Richard II in 1399. The Lancastrians believed they had the rightful claim to the English throne, as their line descended from John of Gaunt, the third surviving son of King Edward III.

On the other hand, the House of York was led by Richard, Duke of York, who believed he had a stronger claim to the throne. The Yorkists traced their lineage back to Edmund of Langley, the fourth surviving son of Edward III. They argued that they were the true heirs to the crown, as the Lancastrians were descended from Edward's third son, John of Gaunt.

The War of the Roses began when Richard, Duke of York, challenged the authority of King Henry VI, who was a Lancastrian. The conflict initially started as a power struggle between the two factions, but it soon escalated into a full-blown civil war.

Both houses fought numerous battles throughout England, with neither side gaining a decisive advantage for many years. Some of the most famous battles of the war include the Battle of Towton, the Battle of Bosworth Field, and the Battle of Tewkesbury.

The War of the Roses finally came to an end in 1485 with the ascension of Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, who was a Lancastrian. He defeated Richard III, the last Yorkist king, at the Battle of Bosworth Field. Henry Tudor then became King Henry VII, uniting the two houses by marrying Elizabeth of York, the daughter of Edward IV.

In conclusion, the War of the Roses was a conflict between the Houses of Lancaster and York for control of the English throne. It was a tumultuous period in English history, marked by intense battles and political intrigue.

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